Monday, January 16, 2006

storing memories

Sunday found me storing mental images and sound bytes. GM5 in his snowsuit on Saturday, hardly able to sit down or move his arms - reminding of the little brother in "A Christmas Story". Of making videos of GM2 and 5 - and OD - out in the snow of Sat.

GM5 pushing his walk-behind truck while explaining things in his own language. His language is aided and abetted by hand and arm signals. The basic hand-arm signal is to extend one arm, fingers spred in the direction of the object of his attention. This means one of several things - it is his hello or goodbye (like aloha) as well as his signal that he wants a particular thing.

When this signal is used as a greeting, it is almost like a monarch extending his kingly hand of mercy toward his loyal subjects. It is often accompanied by a small grunt which seems to be multi-dimensional in meaning in that it can indicate anything from a question to a show of satisfaction - depending on which part of the grunt is stressed.

When he wants something, the word "dis" or "iss" is added to the physical signal - and if he gets the object desired, one of these words is repeated.

GM2 is a very inventive young lady. Her project for the day on Sunday was making an oatmeal honey mask for the faces of OD, granna and her. It was chuckle and "Kodak moment" time when they called for the menfolk to view her handiwork pasted all over their faces. After the laughter and photos came the real job for them of trying to remove the sticky stuff - they mostly did - with great effort.

Both of OD's dachshunds give GM5 a fairly wide berth. It's not that they necessarily fear him, they just don't enjoy portions of their anatony being tugged.

OD has a kid/dog gate on the laundry room for the occasional keeping the dogs in when they are out and about or keeping GM5 out of this very interesting room. One last great mental image stored is one of GM5 giving his Mom a kiss through the bars of this gate.

Our Creator allows us to view and enjoy so many small everyday things - if we choose to - and by so doing bring more joy into our lives and to lessen the bad stuff. I'm reminded of a line from a song in the movie "The Sound of Music" - "I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad" - not that I feel bad that much anyway, I/you have a choice. ec

5 Comments:

Oh, he sounds so cute! Right now I am a nanny for 2 little boys, one is 3 and the other is 1. I get so much joy (and laughter) out of watching how they do things and try to communicate. The 3 year old is really starting to get into talking and the funniest things come out of his mouth. I really need to start writing them down! :) It is wonderful how God blesses us with even the little things.

adannells - My younger daughter has 4 young ones - GM1, GM3, GM4 and GM6 and they live close to us in S. C. The three younger are boys and the 3 1/2 and 2 year old ones are very vocal - though sometimes the 2 yr-old needs some translation. It is hilarious what they can come up with.

bubba - You are so right - appreciate and enjoy, when the dust settles enough for that to happen. :) ec

It is snowing right now here. It has been raining for several weeks when we usually have snow. It has been okay, now that I actually have to pay for my own heat. But snow has provided for many of my memorable moments. I love those moments that you can capture for a moment in your mind and keep there like a photo with smells and sounds and feelings.